Pumping apparatus



Nov. l, 1932. T. J. @ofi-@ARD E1 AL 385820 PUMPING APPARATUS Filed July16, 1929 Patented Nev. Vl, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THOMAS J.GOTHARD, F LOS ANGELES, AND RICHARD WUNN, 0F H'YNES, CALIFORNIA PUMPINGAPPARATUS Application led July 16, 1929. Serial No. 378,763.

Our invention relates to fluid operated pumps and particularly to aiiuid operated pump especially adapted for use in oil wells.

One of the objects of this invention is to .5 provide an apparatusdesigned so that the pressure line is and can be used for the productionline.

Another object is to provide a balanced pumping apparatus operative nearthe bottom of a well or at least near the point from which matter isdrawn so that the volume of matter produced in anyone stroke or certaindistinctive opera-tion must be nearly equal to the pressure applied tothe pumplng apparatus.

Another object is to provide an apparatus in which the operating volumerepresents a corresponding value to the operating force or y pressureapplied to the apparatus.

Anothpr object is to provide a pumping apparatus made of a certainnumber of stages to operate with equally eliicient results inwells ofdifferent depths. v Another object is to provide a. pumping ap-paratusto operate at and with the same pressure o r force in wells .ofdifferent depths to result in practically the same production. Anotherobject is to provide a pumping apparatus to operate under twopractically Y equal volumes on the opposite operative sides of theapparatus so that the discharged volume or production alone comprisesmaterially the value of lift of the apparatus 1n weight and differencein elevation.

Other objects will appear from the following description and appendedclaims as well as from the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is afragmentary longitudinal midsectional view of a simple pumping apparatusembodying our invention.

2 is a fragmentary side elevation of an operating mechanism connected tothe upper ends of the pumping apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1.

The simple form of our invention, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing,includes an outer shell 8 which extends downwardly from a pipeor casing4 within a well, the outer shell 8 being connected to the pipe4 by meansof an upper partition 9. By means of a lower partition 10, an inletvalve casing 11 is secured to the lower end of the shell 8, this casinghaving an inlet opening 11a adapted to be closed by a check valve havingthe form of a ball 21.. Within the outer shell 8 an inner tubular member12 extends between the upper and lower partitions 9 and 10. Surroundingthe inner tubular member is an intermediate tubular member 13, and at4proper intervals interconnecting nipples 14 are extended radially fromthe inner member 12 to the intermediate tubular member 13. and 13 forman axial structure within the pump casing or shell 8 in which areprovided a central axial assage 12a and an annular passage 13a. upportedon this central structure are stationary pistons 15 consisting ofannular bodies secured to the intermediate tubular member 13;Cooperating with the stationary pistons 15 is a plunger 16 whichd is oftubular type and consists of a cylindrical shell 16a and radiallyinwardly projecting annular walls so placed as to formheads 17 a and 17b. .The outer surface of the shell 16a engages the inner surface of theouter .shell 8 with such closeness that a practical seal is formedbetween the plunger 16 and the outer shell 8.

The upper end of the passages 23 and the upper end of the axial passage12a constitute, respectively, primary and secondary fluid ports throughwhich the pump mechanism communicates with the interior of the casing 4and the interior of the oil tube 5. As previously herein explained, itis desirable to provide a means for draining the casing'4 before thecasing is withdrawn from the well, and for this purpose we have provideda valve sleeve 51 adapted to be moved by the lower end of the oil tube 5which re- .movably engages one of the ports of the pump, preferablythesecondary port formed by the upper end of the axial passage 12a.

All the several parts of the main housing of the pumping apparatus aswell as of the plunger between the broken lines 18 and 19, forming acomplete independent stage of the whole pumping apparatus, can either beleft The inner and intermediate members 12v .lift by out or duplicatedor mult lied to any exi tent depending entirely ont e requirements, aswhen to be used in more or less deep wells, to produce any desired'orrequired power or or while eventually not materially changin thepressure in the outside operating mecanism, as will be understood fromfurther explanation given hereafter.

The lower partition wall 10 has a central opening therein containing adownwardly closin check valve 2O which communicates with t e lower endof the axial passage 12a. The u per and lower partition members areprovi ed with vertical passages 23 and 27 for providin communicationwith the end ortions of t e interior of the outer shell 8. xtendingdownwardly within the casing 4 by 'which the outer shell 8 is suspendedin a well, is an inner column pipe 5 having a head on its lower endprovided with a conical engagement portion 46 adapted to engage a seat47 in the upper face of the upper partition 9. The inner pipe 5 ma belowered into the casing 4 after the casing has been assembled in thewell, and the head 45 at the lower end thereof provides a means forconnecting the interior of the inner pipe 5 with the axial passage 12a.Lugs 48 projectlng from the head 45 engage lugs 50 carried by loo a ring51 forming a rotary valve for closing drainage openings 52 in the lowerend of the casing 4. By rotating the sleeve or ring 51, it is possibleto bring openings 53 therein into engagement with the openings 52 of thecasing 4 and to thereby drain from the interlor of the casing 4 thecolumn of oil which resides therein. Liftin the central pipe 5 so as toremove the hea 45 from engagement with the seat 47 will result indrainage of the inner ipe 5. This eliminates possibility of a wet Job inpulling the pump.

The pressure of fluid in the annular space 54 Within the casing 4 andsurrounding the inner member 5 is transmitted in the direc- 1- tionofthe arrows 22 through the passa es 23 linto the upper pumping pressurecham er 556 above the head 17 6 within the outer shell 8. Between therespective heads 17a and 17 and the stationary pistons 15 thereabove,pumping pressure chambers 55aand 55 are formed. All of the pressurechambers 55, 55a and 556 communicate through radial openings 56 with theannular space 13a within the central stationary struct-ure of the pump.The nipples 14 provide radial passages 57 connecting between the axialpassage 12a and retracting pressure chambers 58 and 58a formed below theplunger heads 17a and 17 6. Between the lower plunger head 17 and thelower partition 10 a pumping cylinder 60 is formed which communicatesthrough the axial passages 27 with the oil inlet passage 61 formedbetween the inlet valve casing 11 and the lower partition'- wall 10.

The upper end of the inner pi e 5 communicates through piping 62 with te seconda port 63 of a slide valve mechanism 7 in whic valve pistons 33and 34 are moved by means of a rod 64 having a quick throw mechanism 42attached toits outer end. The upper end of the casing 4 is connectedthrough fittings 65 with a cylinder 6 having a piston 32 therein fromwhich a piston rod66 extends outwardlyv through the wall of thecylinder. The rightward end of the cylinder 6 is connected by means of apipe 67 with the primary port 68 of the slide valve mechanism 7. A pump37 driven by a motor 38 forces fluid under pressure through piping v70into the slide valve mechanism 7. The operation of the pumpinglmechanism shown is substantially as follows:

Assuming that the plunger 16 is in raised position and that the completeinterior structure of the pumping mechanism is filled with oil, iiuidunder pressure from-the pump 37 is directed through the slide valvemechanism into the rightward end of the cylinder 32, where it forces thepiston 32 in leftward direction. This movement of the piston 32 exertspressure through the fitting 65 on the column of oil in the space 54,which pressure is in turn exerted through the passages 23, 13a, and 56,against the upper faces of the plunger heads 17, 17a, and 176, causingthe plunger to move downwardly and to force the oil in the pumpingcylinder 60 downwardly through the passages 27 into the inletl chamber61 and to force the oil from the inlet chamber 61 up through the checkvalve 20 into the axial passage 12a. At the same time the downwardmovement of the heads 17a and 176 collapses the retracting pressurechambers 55 and 55a so as to force oil therefrom into the axial passage12a, causing an upward movement of oil through the central pipe 5 and anoveriow of the excess oil therefrom through the pipe 62, the port 63 ofthe slide valve mechanism, and the outlet 72 thereof. As the piston 32approaches the leftward end of the cylinder 6, a collar 40 on the rod 66engages the upper end of a lever 39, causing its lower end to exertrightward pressure against a pin 4l carried on the piston rod 64 so asto move the istons 33 and 34 in rightward direction. hen the rightwardmovement of the piston rod 64 has been carried through a predetermineddistance, the quick throw mechanism 42 operates to quickly move the rod64 in rightward direction so as to throw the pistons 33 and 34 into thepositions indicated by dotted lines 71, thereby bringing the pressurepipe 70 of the pump 37 into communication with the pipe 62 and bringingthe rightward end of the cylinder 6 into communication with the outletport 73 of the valve mechanism 7. -The pressure of the pum 37 is in thismanner transferred to thel co umn of oil within the inner pipe 5 so thatan excessive pressure is exerted throu h the passages 57 against thelower faces cfg the pistons 17 a and 17?), causing the lifting of theplunger 16 to the raised position in which it is shown in Fig. 1.

The check valve 20 being closed, the foot valve 21 opens, and oil fromthe well is drawn into the inlet chamber 61 and the pumping cylinder 60.The raising of the plunger 16 also results in oil being forced from thepumping pressure chambers 55, a, and 556 so as to produce an upwardmovement of oil in the space 54, with the result that the piston 32 ismoved rightwardly, the oil in the rightward portion thereof isdischarged through the pipe 67 and the ports 68 and 73, and the lever 39is actuated in conjunction with the quick throw mechanism 42 to returnthe pistons 33V and 34 to their initial positions, in which they areshown in full lines in Fig. 2, thereby again placing the piston 32 andthe column of oil in the space 54 under pumping pressure. This cycle ofoperation automatically continues as long as no gas pockets are formedand the pump 37 is kept in operation.

The pump mechanism hereinbefore disclosed is operated by hydrostaticallybalanced columns of oil, and reciprocation of the plunger 16 isaccomplished by alternately placing an excess of pressure on thesecolumns of oil. The multiple piston construction enables the plunger 16to be made of any desired length and with any number of heads thereon inaccordance with the depth of the well and the pumping conditions e11-countered. The actual pumping of oil is accomplishcd by change of sizeof the pumping cylinder which is situated at the lower end of the pumpstructure adjacent to the inlet opening and the inlet chamber throughwhich oil is drawn i-n from the well.

A feature of the invention also exists in the use of a central or axialpassage 12a'l through which oil is conducted from the pumping cylinder60 through the zone of the remaining parts of the pumping mechanism intoa pipe which conducts the pumped oil to the surface of the ground. Whenit is desired to remove the pump from the well, rotation of the innerpipe 5 will accomplish opening of the drain ports 52 in the mannerhereinabove described.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A Huid operated pump of the character described, including: an outershell adapted to be secured to the lower end of a casing; an innertubular member within said outer shell, there being an annular pumpingcylinder formed between the lower parts of said outer shell and saidinner tubular member; a check valve at the lower end of said innertubular member; an inlet valve; walls providing paswith said check valveand said inlet valve; an annular pumping piston in said pumpingcylinder; and hydraulic means above said piston and between said outershell and said inner tubular member for reciprocating said annularpumping piston.

2. A Huid operated pump of the character described, including: an outershell adapted to be secured to the lower end of a casing ;an innertubular member Within said outer shell, there being an annular pumpingcylinder' formed between the lower parts of said outer shell and saidinner tubular member; a check valve for preventing reverse How from saidinner tubular member; an inlet valve; walls providing .passage meansconnecting said pumping cylinder with said inlet valve and the lower endof said tubular member; an annular pumping piston in said pumpingcylinder, said pumping piston sliding on said inner tubular member; andhydraulic means above said piston and between said outer shell and saidinner tubular member for reciprocating said annular pumping piston.

3. A iuidoperated pump of the character described, including: an outershell adapted to be secured to the lower end of acasing; an innertubular member within said outer shell,

there being an annular pumping cylinder formed between said outer shelland said inner tubular member; a check valve for preventing reverse flowfrom said inner tubular member; an inlet valve; walls providing passagemeans connecting said pumping cylinder with said inlet valve and thelower end of said tubular member; an annular pumping plunger in theannular space between said shell and said inner tubular memberconsisting of a cylindrical wall having 'an annular pumping headprojecting radially inwardly from the lower end thereof in said pumpingcylinder; an annular pressure head projecting radially inwardly at theupper end of the annular pumping plunger; a stationary annular pistonextending outwardly from said inner tubular member in position betweensaid upper and lower heads of said pumping plunger, forming within saidpumping plunger a pumping pressure chamber and a retracting pressurechamber, there being also a pumping pressure chamber above said upperhead of said annular plunger; and wall means in said pump providingpassages for delivery of fluid under pressure to said pumping pressurechambers and said retracting pressure chamber.

4. A fluid operated pump of the character described, including: an outershell adapted to be secured to the lower end of a casing; an innertubular member within said outer shell, there being an annular pumpingcylinder formed between said outer shell and said inner tubular member;a check valve for pre- Ventingreverse flow from said inner tubularmember; an inlet Valve; walls providing passage means connecting saidpum ing cylinder with said inlet valve and the ower end of said tubularmember; an annular pumping pumping ead projecting radially inwardly fromthe lower end thereof in said pumping cylinder; an annular pressure headprojecting radially inwardlyat the upper end of the annular pumpingplunger; a stationary annular piston exten ing outwardly from said innertubular member in position between said upper and lower heads of saidpumping plunger, forming within said A pumping plunger a pumpingpressure chamber and a retracting pressure chamber, therebeing also apumping pressure chamber above said upper head of said annular plunger;wall means in said pump providing passages for delivery of fluid underpressure to said pumping pressure chambers and said retracting pressurechamber; and a iuid pipe extending upwardly from said pump and from theupper end of said inner tubulammember.

5. A fluid operated pump of the character described, including: an outershell' adapted to be secured to the lower end of a casing; an innertubular member within said outer shell, there being an annular pumpingcylinder formed between said outer shell and said inner tubular member;a check valve for preventing reverse flow from said inner tubularmember; an inlet valve; walls providing passage means connecting saidpumping cylinder with said inlet valve and the lower end of said tubularmember; an annular pumping plunger in the annular space between saidshell and said inner tubular member consisting of a cylindrical wallhaving an annular pumping head projecting radially inwardly from thelower end thereof in said pumping cylinder and a plurality of annularpressure heads extending inwardly above said annular pumping head, therebeing spaces between said annular heads; stationary annularpistonsprojecting outwardly from said inner tubular member into said spacesbetween said heads so as to form in said pumping plunger pumpingpressure chambers and retractiug pressure chambers, there being apumplng pressure chamber above the uppermost of sa] d annular pressureheads; and wall means in said ump providing passages for delivery ofiuld under pressure to said pumping pressure chambers and saidretracting pressure chambers. l

6. Ailuid operated pump of the character described, including: an outershell adapted to be secured to the lower end of a casing; an innertubular member vwithin said outer shell, there being an annular pumpingcylinder formed between said outer shell and said inner tubular member;a check valve for preventing reverse flow from said inner tubularmember; an inlet valve; walls providing passage means connectingsaidpumping cylinder with` said inlet valve and the lower end of saidtubular member; an annular pumping plunger in the annular space betweensaid shell and said inner tubular mem- Y ber Aconsisting of acylindrical wall havingv an annular pumping ead projecting radiallyinwardly from the lower end thereof in said pumping cylinderand aplurality of annular pressure heads extendin inwardly above said annularpumping hea there being spaces between said annular heads; stationaryannular pistons projecting outwardly from said inner tubular member intosaid spaces between said heads so as to form in said .pumping plungerpumping pressure chambers and retractingv pressure chambers, there beinga pumping .pressurel chamber above the uppermost of said annularpressure heads; wall means in said pump providing passages for deliveryof uid under pressure to said pumping pressure chambers and saidretracting pressure chambers; and a iuid pipe extending upwardly fromsaid pump and from the upper end of said inner tubular member.V

7 A fluid operated pump of the character descrbed, including: an outershell adapted to be secured to a casing; an annular plunger in saidshell consisting of a cylindrical wall having an annular, inwardlyprojecting pumping head at its lower end and an annular, inwardlyprojecting head above said pumping head; a stationary annular piston inthe space between said heads of said plunger; an innerl tubular memberextending through said plunger and supporting said stationary piston,said tubular member having a primary passage communicating with thespace above said stationary piston and a secondary passage communicatingwith the space between said stationary piston and said annular pumpinghead and with the space above said ressure head; and wall means fordelivery o Huid under pressure to said primary and secondary passages ofsaid inner tubular member.

8. A iuid operated pump of the character described, including: an outershell adapted to be secured to the lower end of a casmg; an'annularpumping plunger in said shell having a plurality of annular headsprojecting inwardly therefrom, there being annular spaces between saidheads; an inner tubular member extending through said plunger, saidinner tubular member having stationary annular pistons projecting intothe spaces between saidheads of said plunger so as to form pumpingpressure chambers andretracting pressure chambers, there being a pumpingcylinder formed below the lowermost of said heads of said plunger, saidinner tubular member having a primary passage communicating with saidretracting pressure chambers and a secondary passage comunicating withsaid pumping pressure chambers; means for delivering Huid under pressureto said primary and secondary passages of said inner tubular member; acheck valve at the lower end of said primary passage of said innertubular member; an inlet valve; and walls forming passage meansconnecting said pumping cylinder with said inlet valve and said checkvalve.

9. A fluid operated pump of the character described, including: an outershell adapted to be secured to the lower end of a casing; an annularpumping plungerin said shell having a plurality of annular headsprojecting inwardly therefrom, there being annular spaces between saidheads; an inner tubular member extending through said plunger, saidinner tubular member having stationary annular pistons projecting intothe spaces between said heads of said plunger so as to form pumpingpressure chambers and retracting pressure chambers, there being apumping cylinder formed below the lowermost of said heads of saidplunger, said inner tubular member having a primary passagecommunicating with said retracting pressure chambers and a secondarypassage communicating with said pumping pressure chambers an inner Huidpipe extending down through said casing and connecting to said primarypassage; walls connecting said secondary passage to the interior spaceof said casing around said inner Huid pipe; a check valve at the lowerend of said primary passage of said inner tubular member; an inletvalve; and walls forming passage means connecting said pumping cylinderwith said inlet valve and said check valve.

10. A fluid operated pump of the character described, including: anouter shell adapted to be secured to the lower end of a casing; anannular pumping plunger in said shell having a plurality of annularheads projecting inwardly therefrom, there being annular spaces betweensaid heads; an inner tubular member extending through said plunger, saidinner tubular member having stationary annular pistons projecting intothe spaces between said heads of said plunger so as to form pumpingpressure chambers and retracting pressure chambers, there being apumping cylinder formed below the lowermost of said heads of saidplunger, said inner tubular member baving'a primary passage communieating with said retracting pressure chambers and a secondary passagecommunicating with said pumping pressure chambers; upper and lowerpartition walls supporting said inner tubular member within said shell,there being passages in said upper partition wall connecting theinteriorof said casing with said secondary passage, and there being passages ingdown within said casing and connecting to the upper end .of said prlmarypassage of said inner tubular member; a check valve for controlling theflow through the lower end of said primary passage; an inlet valve;

and walls forming passage means connecting said passages of said lowerpartition wall with said inlet valve and said check valve..

In testimony that we claim the foregolng as our invention we 4havesigned our names. 5

THOMAS J GOTHARD. RICHARD WUN N.

in said lower partition wall leading from said pumping cylinder; aninner Huid pipe extend-

